. >> reporter: he'd have no idea thanks in part to some of the best plastic surgeons in southern california, doctors and nurses who donated their skills to ucla's operation mend. aaron was there first attempt to put a broken warrior back together. how many surgeries? >> ah, nearly 60. >> reporter: 60. >> yeah. >> reporter: they did amazing work. >> thank you. >> reporter: but the bomb was only one life altering moment in iraq. it was there he met a fellow marine named diana and fell in love. three months after his injury, they reunited and 15 seconds later, he proposed. and as he healed, they had a son and a daughter. and then diana had an affair. and a child with another man and then she left. do you have custody of your children? >> i do. >> reporter: you're raising them? >> i am. >> reporter: why did she leave? >> it takes a strength of character, for me to get through what i've been through and she didn't have it. >> reporter: and yet, you'd still have no idea this pain. those who came to the beacon tonight might remember roger waters, do a little pink floyd with the band of warriors. â